State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has urged Indonesia to boost imports of Bangladeshi products and services with a view to deepening and diversifying bilateral trade between the two nations.
Speaking during a courtesy call paid by Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Listyowati at his office on Wednesday, Kobir highlighted Bangladesh’s readiness to elevate bilateral trade relations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
In response, Ambassador Listyowati reaffirmed her support for expanding and diversifying Bangladesh’s exports to Indonesia, explicitly including pharmaceuticals.
During the meeting, both diplomats discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including trade and business, investment in the energy sector, disaster management, education and training, capacity building, tourism, cultural exchange, people-to-people contacts, consular affairs, the exchange of high-level visits, and co-operation on regional and global issues.
To facilitate business, tourism, cultural exchanges, and greater people-to-people connectivity, Kobir requested Indonesia to ease visa processing for Bangladeshi nationals.
Highlighting the shared vulnerability of both Bangladesh and Indonesia to natural disasters, the state minister expressed keen interest in strengthening bilateral co-operation in disaster management.
Ambassador Listyowati welcomed the proposal, emphasising the importance of exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices, and enhancing capacity-building initiatives to mitigate adverse impacts.
Kobir sought Indonesia’s backing for Bangladesh’s aspirations to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Ambassador Listyowati reaffirmed Indonesia’s continued support for these key initiatives.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to working closely together at the bilateral, regional, and international levels on issues of mutual interest.
